Tropical hibiscus is propagated by cuttings, not by seeds, but garden hibiscus (rose mallow) can be started from seeds. The seeds have a hard coating so chip and soak them for 1 hours prior to sowing. Seeds need light to germinate. Sow on the surface of moistened seed starting mix, barely pressing them down with your finger. Seeds will take 10-30 days to germinate when kept at 70F-80F.